Colloquium: Šimon Čajági (C&O)

Orographic lift presents a valuable opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). While traditionally used by fixed-wing aircraft, this paper explores how quad-plane platforms can further enhance the range of conditions suitable for orographic soaring and provide more efficient hovering in wind-affected environments compared to traditional quad-copters. Using the Variable Skew Quad-Plane (VSQP), a flexible aircraft capable of operating as both a fixed-wing and a quad-copter, we demonstrate that VTOL platforms expand the operational envelope for orographic soaring in updrafts. Furthermore, in windy conditions, quad-plane aircraft significantly reduce power consumption during stationary hovering compared to quad-copters, extending mission endurance. A pitch controller is implemented to better showcase the power-saving opportunity in a simulation. Our findings highlight the advantages of quad-plane aircraft for both orographic soaring and energy-efficient hovering, offering broader applicability for UAVs in energy-critical flight scenarios.

Supervisor: Dr. E. J. J. Smeur